Va Tech vs UCLA NCAA Football Betting Odds
The Virginia Tech Hokies and UCLA Bruins are set to face off in the Hyundai Sun Bowl in a game that is going to come down to one major matchup: UCLA’s offense vs. Virginia Tech’s defense.
2013 Hyundai Sun Bowl
Virginia Tech (8-4, 5-3 ACC) at No. 17 UCLA (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12)
Tuesday, Dec. 31 2:00 PM ET at Hyundai Sun Bowl
Spread: UCLA -7.5
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The Bruins have had a strong offense all year, but the Hokies’ defense has been downright elite. The two sides will battle on New Year’s Eve at 2:00 PM ET.
UCLA
Jim Mora has transformed this UCLA program, and it is now in its second straight bowl game as a result. In the Sun Bowl, Mora’s team must be ready to face a Cover 4 defense. Virginia Tech will keep an eye on Brett Hundley for an entire 60 minutes, which means establishing a balance on offense is going to be crucial.
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Expect Hundley to be extra motivated in this one. He’s yet to make an announcement regarding his NFL decision, and likely won’t until this game comes to an end. A strong performance against a top-tier defense could do wonders for his stock, but a mediocre showing (or worse) could convince scouts that he’s just not ready to make the leap.
Anthony Barr is the other player looking to make a positive impression on scouts. He’s a big-time playmaker for the Bruins’ defense, and if he can help prevent VT players such as Logan Thomas from making breakaway plays, he’ll be looked at as one of the most valuable players in this game.
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Transitioning back to the offense, UCLA has one key hurdle to jump over: third down. Virginia Tech is one of the best in the country at forcing teams to punt, and that’s not going to change entering the bowl game.
Virginia Tech
The Virginia Tech Hokies are the eighth-best defense in the country in terms of points allowed, but they’re top-three in third-down stops. This team has size up front and athleticism deep, and when it comes down to it, it knows how to stand its ground when it matters most.
Against the run, Virginia Tech is eighth in the nation, giving up just 103.8 yards per contest. Against the pass, it is third, allowing 165.8 yards per game. In total, the Hokies are fourth in the nation in yards allowed, as they give up just 269.6 total yards per game.
What you have to remember about Virginia Tech is that despite having four losses on the year, only one of those came by more than a touchdown. In fact, the only game decided by more than seven points was the season opener against the then-No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide.
In November, VT defeated then-No. 11 Miami handedly, holding them to 24 points while scoring 42 of their own. Don’t expect that kind of showing against No. 17 UCLA, but don’t be shocked if Virginia Tech comes away with a win ATS.
Prediction: Virginia Tech +7.5
